Why Laughter Is Serious Medicine for Stress
A good laugh does more than lift your mood. Here's what laughing does for stress and social bonds — and how to make more room for it.
When was the last time you laughed so hard your stomach hurt? If you have to think about it, you're not alone. As adults get busier and more stressed, laughter is often one of the first things we lose — and one of the easiest things to bring back.
What laughter does to your body
A real, hearty laugh is a mini-workout. It increases your intake of air, stimulates your heart and lungs, and then leaves your muscles more relaxed than before. Researchers have linked laughter to short-term stress relief, and many people report feeling calmer and more optimistic after a good laugh.
Laughter is social glue
Psychologists have noticed that we're far more likely to laugh with other people than alone — often many times more. Laughing together signals trust and safety. It's one of the fastest ways strangers become friends, and one of the ways friends stay close.
A day without laughter is a day wasted. — Charlie Chaplin
Simple ways to laugh more
- Spend time with funny friends — laughter is contagious.
- Go to a live comedy show. The shared energy of a room is impossible to get from a screen.
- Try something new and be bad at it. Pottery, dance, improv — laughing at yourself is freeing.
- Swap one evening of scrolling for a board-game night.
- Don't wait for things to be funny. Look for the small absurd moments in everyday life.
Our Stand-up Comedy Evenings
That's exactly why stand-up comedy is part of the Project Soulfulness calendar. These are light-hearted, welcoming evenings — great to come to solo, because you'll leave having shared a laugh with everyone in the room. Our first comedy evenings are launching soon — keep an eye on our events page, and bring a friend (or make one there).
